Mainspring Direction

[Pip]

I'm baffled. It happens a lot that, but this time there is a reason. I have an old Longines movement that I bought in bits, like the most complicated 3D jigsaw I can imagine, and included in it is a mainspring and the two halves of its barrel (is that the right name?). Now to put it back together I need to wind it, but how do you tell whether a spring should be left or right hand wound?

Allied to that is that I don't have a winder of the right size but it's knowledge I'm after as well as kit.

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[oldhippy]

Try fitting the arbor into the barrel and which way it fits will tell you which way round the spring should go.

[Pip]

Try fitting the arbor into the barrel and which way it fits will tell you which way round the spring should go.

Thanks@oldhippy, I'll have a good look at it.


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[Marc]

As OH says, work out which way up the arbor fits in the barrel, Then look closely at the hook on the arbor (with a loupe) and you will be able to see which way the spring has to go so that it stays hooked on to the arbor.

[Pip]

As OH says, work out which way up the arbor fits in the barrel, Then look closely at the hook on the arbor (with a loupe) and you will be able to see which way the spring has to go so that it stays hooked on to the arbor.

Thanks Marc



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